Argentina boosts Antarctic airlift with lease of C-130
The Argentine Air Force's new C-130H Hercules was delivered on 6 June. (Photo: Argentine Air Force)
On 6 June, a Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft landed at the Argentine Air Force’s I Air Brigade facilities in El Palomar, Buenos Aires province.
The aircraft, which arrived from the US, will be assigned to I Air Transport Squadron.
The transfer is not a sale, rather Argentina is leasing the Hercules from the US for 11 months, via the FMS system, with a purchase option.
The Hercules, serial TC-60, will be equipped with a kit previously intended for the service’s Lockheed L-100-30 Hercules (TC-100).
‘This decision is due to the fact that the C-130H does not have the operating restrictions
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
“A dominant force”: empowering Europe’s airborne ISR in a new era
European militaries face a new security landscape, with the proliferation of drones, theatre ballistic missiles and other threats boosting requirements for airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and related systems. For L3Harris, missionised business jets are central to meeting these needs, providing capability and flexibility in a cost-effective package.
-
What opportunities remain for European airborne early warning requirements?
With a pending NATO AWACS replacement on the horizon, the demand and market opportunities for airborne early warning aircraft remain strong as countries look to bolster their capabilities, with industry eyeing gaps in the market.
-
NHI’s NH90: Europe’s multirole helicopter strives to maintain relevance (updated 2026)
Developed in response to NATO’s needs, NHIndustries’ NH90 remains a cornerstone of European and Middle Eastern fleets – with upgrades planned to extend and improve the capabilities of the versatile and capable platform.
-
April Drone Digest: Why militaries are rethinking high-end drones
From France to Romania, there has been a clear shift away from expensive, vulnerable MALE UAVs in April towards lower-cost, expendable systems. Hard lessons from Ukraine and Iran have driven this shift.